Environmental Group to Sue Over New Gas Platform Near Marine Reserve

Berlin – The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is pursuing legal action against Dutch energy company One-Dyas' plans to install a new gas platform off Borkum in the North Sea. DUH urges authorities to consider the proposed N04-A platform as part of the larger "Gateway to the Ems" gas production complex, rather than an isolated project. This would necessitate a more comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

The planned project is situated near the German Natura 2000 site Borkum Riffgrund and the Borkumse Stenen area, which is also nominated for Natura 2000 status. DUH warns that the venture could significantly harm German marine protected areas and destroy unique stone reefs. The organization states that production wastewater contaminated with heavy metals poses a threat to protected species such as seals and porpoises. The platform's proximity to a major shipping route is also deemed highly risky by DUH.

"One-Dyas intends to advance another fossil fuel project in one of the North Sea's most sensitive marine environments," said DUH Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner. "We call on the licensing authorities in Germany and the Netherlands to issue a clear rejection of this unnecessary platform."

DUH also criticizes the project's minimal contribution to European energy security. Even at its highest production rate, the project is estimated to cover only about 0.2 percent of Germany's annual gas consumption. Furthermore, the gas's energy density is reportedly so low that it can barely be classified as natural gas.

Industrial activities in the area could reduce the porpoise population on the Dutch continental shelf by 3.3 percent, equivalent to 2,080 porpoise deaths. In addition to the loss of physical habitat due to platforms, pipelines, and seabed interventions, there is also a risk of functional habitat loss for marine mammals due to noise, stress, and repeated disturbances.